Today's Scripture Readings

Saints, Feasts, and Readings for 11/20/2013

Prayer Before Reading Holy Scripture

O Master Who loves mankind, illuminate our hearts with the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to Your holy will. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:17-4:1

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the
Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward
them.

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is
well pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become
discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to
the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart,
fearing God.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and
not to men,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of
the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

But he who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong which
he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, give your servants what is just and fair, knowing
that you also have a Master in heaven.

Gospel Reading: Luke 12:48-59

"But he who did not know, yet committed things worthy of
stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from
him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they
will ask the more.

"I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were
already kindled!

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed
I am till it is accomplished!

"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell
you, not at all, but rather division.

"For from now on five in one house will be divided: three
against two, and two against three.

"Father will be divided against son and son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against
her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Then He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud
rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so
it is.

"And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will
be hot weather'; and there is.

"Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the
earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

"Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is
right?

"When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make
every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the
judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into
prison.

"I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have
paid the very last mite."